L'Etape du Tour meets the Ny Times
05-30-08, 08:03 AM
#26
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There's not going to be much to document. Most of the writing will be about the leadup to the start and how crazy it is. Nothing about him actually riding. He may actually die if doesn't give up/get swept up first.
05-30-08, 08:29 AM
#27
Peloton Shelter Dog
I'm thinking that after about 15 minutes climbing a Pyrenees mountain road, the author might start to get the difference between the little hill in Central Park and the Tour de France Hors Categorie climbs. Then he would have another hour or so to reflect on it in his Lactic Acid Haze. Hey, that might not be a bad title for his article.
05-30-08, 08:54 AM
#28
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I'm thinking that after about 15 minutes climbing a Pyrenees mountain road, the author might start to get the difference between the little hill in Central Park and the Tour de France Hors Categorie climbs. Then he would have another hour or so to reflect on it in his Lactic Acid Haze. Hey, that might not be a bad title for his article.
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05-30-08, 08:56 AM
#29
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He's toast.
There's going to be a flock of buzzards trailing him.
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05-30-08, 12:58 PM
#30
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Did you read the part where he wonders how the 'steep hill on the northern end of Central Park' compares to the climbs they do in the Tour de France? That's the hill we do @ 20mph in the races on Sundays. The one that Hinault referred to as 'what hill?' when asked about it in the USA 20 years ago (I think he was doing it in the Tour DuPont or something).
I did the ride around the bear (Big Bear) century last year, and witnessed a lot of carnage on the road side (during the climb up to 8500 feet, I passed quite a few puke puddles and riders stopped on the side.)
If he hasn't done any "real" mountain climbing, he's competely screwed.
Did anyone look at the prices on that tour site? >$2500 to SHARE a room for 4 nights? And that'll be an extra $2500 for the girlfriend? Even if that includes the flight (I haven't checked), that's a little steep!
05-30-08, 01:03 PM
#31
Peloton Shelter Dog
It never includes the flight rooftest.
05-30-08, 01:10 PM
#32
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Here's to the guy - godspeed!
05-30-08, 01:13 PM
#33
Peloton Shelter Dog
While the hill in Central Park doesn't provide any training value, I can assure you it makes more of an impression on the 4th or 5th repetition in a race in a 53 x 19. Trust me.
05-30-08, 01:24 PM
#34
going roundy round
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How long did the guy in the "Living the Dream" on Discovery Channel HD train before he had to abandon his stage? I thought it was at least 3 months. - but don't quote me.
05-30-08, 01:25 PM
#35
Peloton Shelter Dog
05-30-08, 01:26 PM
#36
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I read that piece. It seems like his biggest mileage week so far has been 143 mostly flat miles. And he has 5 weeks to go.
I posted a comment wishing him luck, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope for him.
I posted a comment wishing him luck, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope for him.
05-30-08, 01:26 PM
#37
....gets the cheese
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Aren't you supposed to be getting heat stroke in Italy or somewhere?
05-30-08, 01:28 PM
#38
Peloton Shelter Dog
I do 143 mile weeks when I have 102º fevers and the flu.
05-30-08, 01:34 PM
#39
Peloton Shelter Dog
05-30-08, 01:40 PM
#40
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I give him a better chance of making it than not. Why? Because I have never done anything like it, so I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.
05-30-08, 01:47 PM
#41
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I do wish the writer the best. Austin Murphy of SI did this last year.
05-30-08, 01:48 PM
#42
Peloton Shelter Dog
As long as they're not these buds, you're OK.
05-30-08, 04:17 PM
#44
another cat...FAB!
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05-30-08, 04:30 PM
#45
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05-30-08, 05:14 PM
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You've got to give this guy some credit.
He's 41, new to cycling and somewhat interested in riding the L'Etape. For one, I think that's a much greater achievement than the "sports-fan" like Tour followers that armchair commentate the experience.
Maybe he might not finish, but you can't give him slack for not going for it! I wonder how much such an opportunity costs anyway.
On the other hand, I would be pissed if they gave him a litte "push" along the way...
He's 41, new to cycling and somewhat interested in riding the L'Etape. For one, I think that's a much greater achievement than the "sports-fan" like Tour followers that armchair commentate the experience.
Maybe he might not finish, but you can't give him slack for not going for it! I wonder how much such an opportunity costs anyway.
On the other hand, I would be pissed if they gave him a litte "push" along the way...
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05-30-08, 05:49 PM
#50
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